Haven't we had the most beautiful weather? I realized yesterday, after watering the gardens, mowing and then relaxing in the screenhouse (with a crossword puzzle!),  how truly I am enjoying summer. It doesn't hurt that I live in Paradise, either!

Dear Reader, I must bring  you up to date on the G. M. Sipes/Williiam Charles/concrete affair, after venting so much in my last blog entry.

William Charles is a good company. First thing Monday morning Tim Bridges called from William Charles in regards to my call late Friday.  He was sincere, direct, and a good listener - three excellent qualities to possess for a successful business.

After hearing my side of the concrete story, Tim said he was aware of the problems Sipes had obtaining the State's approval to allow dumping. He was also aware there was a union problem  - and that was with Otterbach. He wasn't aware  my property was the second property where the concrete was supposed to go...but that is not the problem at this point. Tim was quick to realize what the problem is. That is: John at Sipes was not forthcoming with the way he handled the situation when the concrete failed to appear at my property after each time he said it would. 

"He's got to man up to it," was Tim's view of the events. 

 Exactly.

Tim's assessment hit the nail on the head. The William Charles Company  - with Tim's immediate addressing of the issue - made me realize what a good company they are. Later, when I got to the " He's got to man up to it," part, when talking with Ron (who had given my name out to the concrete suppliers),  Ron nodded and smiled.

There is nothing better than an  honest, direct approach to any problem and that's William Charles' approach. So, dear Reader, please realize I take back my unhappiness with the William Charles Company. I still am not happy with Sipes, their sub-contractor, but I am happy with William Charles, and I'm sorry I sullied their name.

As were were getting off the phone, Tim said if I hadn't heard from Sipes by the end of the week,  I should call Tim back.

I heard from John at Sipes at 4:30PM that day. I accepted his apology and I'm letting bygones be bygones.

Meanwhile, Otterbach called me 24 hours later after his offer to dump concrete on my land for $500. His message said he was making sure this was "your number, as it was the last one on the list."  He went on to say he had just gotten a job now really close to me and could do the dumping on my place "for next to nothing." What a coincidence!

Again, when I was discussing this with Ron, he said something that sticks in my mind. "It will be interesting to see if you hear from him (Otterbach) again."  Time will tell.

Meanwhile, the lake still looks pretty murky,(see 1st close-up photo above) but it is cleaning up. The fecal tests were quite interesting. One was only 38 (parts per thousand? million?). The other one on the lower beach had a fecal count of over 400. When I talked to Sharon at Rochelle Wastewater, she asked, "When you take these samples, are you sure to wear gloves?" Hummm, not the kind of water one wants to swim in, that's for sure! I will be taking more tests each week, but suffice it to say, it's pretty polluted from the pig farm, and other farms upstream of me.

I mow, I water, and I realize still just how fortunate I am to have this lovely place. In spite of a few setbacks, one thing the Land has taught me...it always repairs itself. (see 2nd long view of lake above) Sometimes I have to help it a bit, but it always perseveres and goes on.

And so shall I.

Ahhhhh,  a very special treat this evening...Chris and Smitty returned! They had a great fishing trip to Canada. They brought me a lovely gift for "letting us fish here" - a beautiful black fleece pull-over with "Canada, Anderson's Manitou Falls Camp" on it. How I will use it this fall and winter! It is just the kind of pull-over I love!  They shouldn't have... but ... Thank you Smitty and Chris!

And so dear Reader, now that Chris and Smitty are back ... all is right with the world. Good night all!

Friday Evening 11:15PM

Sometimes a series of events, dear Reader, leads us to solve some surprising mysteries.

That's exactly what happened to me today. I would like to relate the entire saga so you can better understand the events of today. But I must warn you my temper has risen, so this story I am about to relate may turn out to be - at least partially - a way to vent my feelings. That does NOT mean I will exaggerate. The following story is just as it happened. Bear with me, dear Reader.

Some time ago, in fact in the middle of February of this year, Wililam Charles Company (formerly Rockford Blacktop) got in touch with me about the possibility of dumping concrete along my washed-out Willow Creek bank to stabilize it.  They were bidding on the I-39 project which would start in April. Those of you who live around here are quite familar with I-39 repair work by now.

You'll recall in my February 17, 2010 blog there is a picture of Jim, representing William Charles Co with Dave standing on the Road-Between-the Ponds. (See above)

William Charles won the bid, and a subcontractor - "John" -  with G.M. Sipes Construction Company contacted me again in late March or early April. We met at Beemerville gate and I showed him all the places he could dump concrete. At that time, John asked me to get the proper permits from the Army Corp of Engineers, DNR and IEPA so he could dump concrete here.

I went right to work on it - even during my two-week vacation in Door County, Wisconsin. In fact, I spent a great deal of my vacation time on the phone and computer getting the permits. Marlyn Schafer at Army Corps of Engineers was fantastic to work with. He even rushed the permit AND contacted DNR and IEPA for me. I couldn't have asked for better service.

I immediately emailed John a copy of the permits that Mr. Schafer emailed me. Mr. Schafer also mailed me several extra copies for John's company and for IDOT. I was really excited when I returned from Door County because everything was working out so well.

According to John, the concrete was to be dumped starting on Monday April 26th. On that Monday I waited all day, and by Tuesday, still no dump trucks. I called John. He said the State of Illinois wasn't approving my site yet. He came out and took some more photos.

Weeks went by. I would call John, and he said he called the State of Illinois, but the State took it's time.

In May I contacted the man in Rochelle (Ron) who had originally provided my name to William Charles Co. and explained it wasn't working out.  Ron was surprised to hear that because finding places to dump concrete was getting harder and harder to find. Ron said he would give my name to other companies. And he did. Bless his heart.

Martin and Company out of Oregon, Illinois also came out to look at my property for a project they were going to undertake.

Meanwhile, we're now at the end of May and I visit my sister and family in Arizona. While at Linda's home, I receive a call on Wednesday May 26th from John saying my site was finally approved for dumping and he will begin dumping there Monday, May 31st! I am ecstatic!

Not two hours later I receive a call from Martin & Co. and they want to dump concrete on my Land, too. In fact that very Friday, May 28th! I explain I've been working with Sipes and Co, and feel  it would be unfair if I were not  loyal to Sipes (and William Charles). Therefore I turn Martin down.

Monday comes and I'm so ready for the concrete! Yes, finally, after numerous phone calls to John and to different agencies and gathering the proper permits, the concrete will be here!

Monday passes - and ... nothing. Again. By now I'm getting a little leery of taking John at his word. All along he was quite adament the concrete would be delievered and set on my Land, and each time nothing happened. I call him on Tuesday. Now he says that although Sipes and Co is a union compnay, they are using non-union workers to run the machinery to place the concrete on the other property where they are dumping - and were planning to do the same on my property. The union got wind of it and caused all kinds of havoc. I think he even said something like "shutting us down." Big problems.

Time goes by and I call and suggest he may want to use Derrek, the union earthmover I use (who is here now), and I hear nothing. Then I call again and John - who tells me he is also a sheriff deputy - states again  he will surely get some concrete dumped the very next day or in the next couple of days.

Dear Reader, if you're still with me, I bet you already know the outcome of his latest promise, don't you?

After days go by, I now have lost all faith in anything that John says. Which means I have lost faith in G.M. Sipes Construction Company and also William Charles Company, which he ultimately represents. And if he is truly an offiicer of the law, he has a fiduciary duty to be forthright. Yet all I'm getting is the run-around. And I have no idea why.

I don't even bother to call John again. In fact, I make up my mind not to speak with him again. Meanwhile I'm kicking myself for being so loyal to Sipes  and for not accepting Martin and Co's concrete.

And the rains comes.

And I lose more of my bank on Willow Creek next to my Beemerville Gate.

And then today happened. The series of events that brings us right back around again.

Today I buy a tractor from Dick Bettner. In conversation, I tell him I not only need concrete but I am in need of fill or dirt. Dick tells me of some dirt the Wyoming Township road commissioner dug up near him during a project. I talk with Fran and Floyd Sellers about moving the tractor to my land. Then I mosey into Paw Paw for some Casey's Cappacino. (It's so bad, it's good.) As I leave Casey's I start to go home. But wait. Something tells me this is a good time to stop in and see Alice Zeman - my friend for 37 years.

We chat a bit and I ask if Alice knows who the Wyoming Township Road Commisssioner is. She can't recall his name and suggests I talk with Sherry, the town clerk. Good idea. As I leave Alice's home and drive into Paw Paw, what should my wondering eyes see but a Wyoming Township dump truck going past me heading east on Chicago Road.

Dear, dear Reader....you know what's coming next. All I can say is... my car is quite adoit at U'ies. I think to myself as I complete the U-turn in the middle of Paw Paw, "How big can Wyoming Township be? I'll just follow that truck."

Wyoming Township is pretty big. I followed that truck for miles and every time he turned, I turned. When he stopped on a narrow road by a bridge, I got out and said "Are you the road commissioner?"

"No...but he is," he said pointing to a man on a front-end loader doing work by the bridge.
 
I talked with the road commissioner who will probably use most of the dirt for other projects. But he gave me the name and number of MY Willow Creek Township road commissioner, Tim Larson, and just happened to mention, "Tim has been hauling huge semi loads of concrete from the I-39 project to Bill Otterbach in Mendota. Bill has been crushing the concrete into gravel."

I respond, "I was told some of that concrete was going to my property."

"Well, talk to Tim or Bill and maybe they will bring you some."

Long story short - yes, Tim is delivering the concrete to Bill Otterbach (over 100 semi loads) and he suggests I buy chunks of it from Otterbach.

 At this point, dear Reader, I was just feeling a little shocked and mostly amazed. The anger hadn't started yet. Generally I have a long, slow fuse...

Bill Otterbach returns my call and says he'll be out this afternoon (remember this is still long before noon today).

True to his word, Bill meets me at Beemerville Gate. He's very talkative about all kinds of things.  Bill says he will deliver huge chunks of concrete and set them in place for $500.

Now $500 for that amount of concrete, for trucking and the use of a tractor to push them in place is a heck of a deal. I know that. 

 But I ALSO know that this amount of concrete - and much more - was firmly stated by Sipes and Co (representing William Charles) to be dumped on my Land FOR FREE.

I thank Bill and explain I will contact Martin and Co to see whether they may need to dump any concrete in the near future. If not, I'll call Bill.

We part company.

And then ... the fuse started to burn.

The more I think about the chain of events, the angrier I become. It was after 5:30 this evening when I picked up the phone and left word at William Charles Co for the owner of the company to call me on Monday.

Dear Reader, you know how I love this Land, and you know how hard I work on it to keep it up.  So I really expect the people I work with on any project out here to be honest. I expect people to stand behind their word. And that's not what I've received from John of G. M. Sipes Construction Company (representing William Charles).

I'm not angry the concrete went to another place. Sipes has the right to do what they think is best. I understand that.

I would have understood if John had called me and said, "things are not working out" or "things have changed and we're going to take all the concrete to one place."

Yes, I would have understood that. But I was told repeatedly that  "The State approved your site and we are dumping on Monday..."  or "The concrete will be delivered on..." and after the "union" problem "I'll get some trucks in there..."

What I can't abide is someone or some company stringing me along. I can't abide someone not having the decency to call me after the fourth time the concrete doesn't show up, when I was told it would.

That's what I can't abide.

I'm upset about the way I have been treated. Pure and simple.

And the ironic thing is...I wouldn't have  known what "The Real Story" was had I not told Dick Bettner I needed some dirt for the Land, had I not changed my mind and visited Alice, had I not U-turned and followed a dump truck down a country road, had the Wyoming Township road commissioner not mentioned my very own road commissioner was hauling I-39 concrete to Mendota. One event after another led me to discover more about where "my" concrete went.  A series of events explained the-behind-the-scenes play-by-play of which I was not previously aware. That dump truck appearing just as I needed to find the road commissioner - such a coincidence! You know, the Chinese don't have a word for coincidence - "no sense of meaningless chance or random events" because they feel ALL coincidences are meaningful.


Today I feel the coincidences were meaningful. I was led (literally) to some of the answers I was  unconsciously asking.

I still don't know why all the concrete went right past my property to Mendota; I still don't know why the man representing Sipes Construction Company chose to tell me one thing while he continued to do another. It leaves me totally baffled. But the entire answer is out there somewhere, and somehow I think I will come to know it.

Your thoughts, dear Reader (in private) are most appreciated.

In the meantime, if you ever have any dealings with G. M. Sipes Construction Company or Williams Charles Company - think twice.

Good night dear Reader. This blog or journal is my way of talking to you and talking things out. Thanks for letting me vent. The anger has dissipated. I shall sleep well now.

Thursday night:

What a storm we had yesterday! Lots of rain, wild winds, thunder and lightning! Willow Creek quickly rose up, over its banks, over the "road-between-the-ponds and right into the lake.  It gushed over the bank for hours on end, filling up the lake and making it overflow to the run-off creek. It was amazing to watch. I've seen this before, but I didn't think we had so much rain that it would happen this time.

There will be lots of work to do to clean up. The lake is now full of fecal matter with spillage from Willow Creek. Oh, joy. It will take many weeks for the lake to naturally clean up. As I am expecting Kary, Dan and family to visit in a few weeks, I am not happy with the chocolate brown water.

But enough grousing. The land is already repairing itself, and this too shall pass. I am grateful it wasn't worse.

I have included lots of photos for you, dear Reader, to feel like you are right here with me, looking at how this storm impacted the Land. (See the first four rows of photos above.) The worst thing was my 14 tons of sand I had delivered. As I was taking pictures of it last night, it suddenly disappeared. This morning, I found some of it after the waters receded somewhat, but most of it is probably in the Green River or Rock River by now. Perhaps it will make its way to the Gulf, and help disperse the oil slick!

The day before the storm we moved the purple picnic table to the top of the hill, not far from JJ's chapel. It looks good there. Now all we need is Alana to show up to help paint it. (Alana, where are you? I miss your cheery voice!) See the last row of photos taken a day or two before our big storm.

We also moved the little table and two chairs on the floor of JJ's chapel. It's wonderful to sit up there and gaze down to the pond from the chapel! Slowly we make progress!

Dear Reader, last night I was in shock. Tonight, I am just a bit tired. Nighty-night, dear Reader! Sleep tight!

Monday night

Oh, dear Reader, so much going on! Such a week - I've been so happy and contented because I'v e had my family around me!
Jeff and Angela's visit went by 'way too fast, but how relaxing and fun to have them here. And Angela's sister's family came out, too, so I have lots of photos.

The first photos show us  at Navy Pier on Sunday June 13th.  We had a horrible time finding parking. Here Angela on left is giving a coat to her sister, Kary, while Gavin climbs a pole and little Olivia looks at the camera.
Second photo: Jeff and Angela with Chicago skyline in back.
Third photo: Kary and Angela, dear sisters and friends
Fourth photo: Jeff and Kary's husband, Dan (on left of photo); Angela and Gavin (on right)
Fifth photo: Three darling children - Jack, Olivia and Gavin
Sixth photo: The Charlie family - Dan with Olivia, Kary, Jake in front with Gavin on right.

Angela and Kary's Mom, Brenda, flew into Chicago for a visit. Angela's father, Dave, will be coming out later. Angela's entire family then came out to the Land for the first time. The kids, Olivia, Jake and Gavin, LOVED the lake. They didn't mind that I didn't have the "new" beach made. Out they went to the water - through weeds and dirt. What troopers! They will be coming back in a few weeks with Angela's dad and Dan, but Angela and Jeff won't be with theim. They went home a few days ago. (I miss them already!)

Here are the explanations for the photos on the Land:
#7: Gavin helping Olivia in the screenhouse next to the cottage where we had a picnic
#8: Olivia holding Grandma Brenda's hand as they walk to the lake; Kary in back
#9: Jeff fishing
#10: The three little swimmers
#11: Kary with Gavin and Jake
#12: Aunt "Annie" playing with Olivia, Gavin and Jake
#13: Gavin and Jake
#14: Angela with Olivia and Jake
#15: Uncle Jeff with three littel urchins

It was a fun filled day. Jeff and Angela stayed with me for the next few days. On Thursday Derrick came out to move lots of earth, and slowly but surely the Land is changing. He didn't finish in one day so we're waiting for a day without rain (hope springs eternal!) so he can finish. 

That very same day, Michael came out to see Jeff and Angela and spend some time sitting in the screenhouse with some wine, cheese and crackers. Ahhh, life is good! Derrick's huge earthmover wasn't even very loud while Michael was here! The sand was delivered for the beach, but Derrick hasn't had time to go back over to the beach and push it down. (See photos #16 - 21 above)

Jeff and Angela had some more time to fish on Thursday afternoon. Dave came over later to see them, too. (See photos below)

Friday I drove Jeff and Angela up to Rockford where they met some college buddies  who took them to Madison to a friend's wedding. I tried to get back to the house before the storm hit, but only made it as far as Rochelle where I hunkered down under the BP roof over the  gas pumps. Wow! All kinds of things were flying  through the air, then I heard sirens and it looked like a roof came off down the street. Almost too exciting! It was a relief to get home and put the car in the garage. All in all, dear Reader, it was quite a wonderful week!

The next day I had another visitor. She  jumped up from the creek next to the screenhouse and landed right in front of the cottage windows as I was looking out. What a pleasant surprise. A good sized doe. I guess she realized friends and family were visiting the Land so she decided to stop in for awhile, too!

Saturday afternoon Ken and David had a barbeque at their home in Paw Paw with friends from work (in Chicago). I have met most of them before, so it was fun to see them again. As always, the party was a huge success!

On Father's Day yesterday, Dave came over and finished putting the floor on JJ's chapel. We thought it was very appropriate as the chapel honors Jack, too.  Now we must wait until I find all the windows before we can start to frame the chapel. If you know of any windows that may work, please let me know, dear Reader.

And last but not least, Chad Lampkin  (Michigan Energy Works)dropped in from Michigan (remember Ed Begley, Jr. recommended him) to see the Land and house site. We spent hours talking about solar energy and the house-on-the-hill, plus other things I can do in the cottage. He is so knowledgeable! Chad walked around taking videos of the land as the sun was setting on the longest day of the year. (see last photo below)

Chad wasn't due to meet his business partner in Elgin until this morning, so he brought in his own sleeping bag and used the couch for the night. When I woke up this morning and came downstairs, he was already gone! I couldn't even tell he had been here. What a quiet guest!

Jeff Wolfe added another video to the home page so be sure to view it. Thanks, Jeff!

My! Much has happened - and the Land is finally as it should be. Here for all of my family as my family grows bigger and bigger! My friends, too, are always welcome! Soon Smitty and Chris will be back from their fishing trip up north, and will show up again one of these days! Welcome dear friends and family! The Land and I are here for you!

So it is with a happy spirit, but tired body, that I bid you adieu, dear Reader! I'll keep you posted on all the latest here on the Land!

My dear Reader, l have been so busy getting ready for Jeff and Angela that I have ignored you. Please know you were in my thoughts each day!

Jeff and Angela arrive within the hour and I am SO excited! Angela's sister (Kary), is bringing them out to the  Land. Kary's children - Gavin, Jack and Olivia - will be coming too! AND a special guest who just arrived only 24 hours ago - Angela and Kary's mom, Brenda! I can hardly wait to see them all. Kary and family will return to Park Ridge, and leave Jeff and Angela to "rough" it out here for a few days.

Except for Brenda, I have already seen everyone (Kary's husband, Dan, too) on Sunday when we all went to Navy Pier. I have lots of pictures from the Pier, and will get many more today. I will share them all with you, dear Reader, although it will take some time to get them all together.  We had a great time, although the parking was horrible. We finished our walk on Navy Pier just as it started to rain. We were so fortunate the weather coorporated.

Anyhoo, I just wanted to check in with you and tell you I haven't forgotten you, dear Reader. More has been done on JJ's chapel, too. Talk to you in  a few days!

All my best to you!

Monday morning early 5AM:

I have been remiss in not writing more in my blog, especially when there's been so much happening!  I want to share it all with you, dear Reader.

Most importantly, my Mom turned 92 yesterday (June 6th). I will be seeing her today or tomorrow to celebrate her birthday. What a gal she is! Truly an inspiration!

More good news:  JJ's chapel's four outside posts are finally set! There are even some joists in place! (see photos above) It took much longer than expected, but it's all squared up and level. What a wonderful feeling! Alana was here this week to lend her support, and of course, Dave did his bit, too. It was a good week.

As I might of told you, I'm also toying with the idea of putting in well and septic. Whoa! Can you believe it? After 10 years of living like a pioneer? Yep! So...I'm getting quotes on that. Suddenly my life is VERY busy! I mean busier than normal. And I love it!

 Haven't some of these early June days been heavenly? How I love June - especially when the humidity clears out after a good thunderstorm!

Another good thing - the screenhouse is up and ready for use! It's so comfortable sitting in there, doing my crossword puzzles. I have a lovely view of the pond AND the stream by the house. I hope to find lots of time to relax in there...but I think that may be a pipedream with all I have decided to do this summer!

Please stay tuned, and I'll try to write updates more often, dear Reader. I want you to feel you are right here enjoying the summer with me!

Here's to a great week!